Car-coupling



W. S. MINER.

GAR GOUPLING;

(No Model.)

No. 314,045. Patented Mar. 17, 1885.

INVENTOR m ATTORN EYS.

NETE AYES ATENT "rrrcs.

\VINFIELD SCOTT MINER, OF TURNEY, MISSOURI.

CAR-COUPLING.

QPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 314,045, dated March 17, 1885.

Application filed January 13, 1885. (X0 model) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \V. S. MINER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Turney, in the county of Clinton and State of Missouri, haveinvented certain new and useful Improve- I ments in Car-Couplings; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l of the drawings is a representation of this invention, and is a horizontal section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken where the broken line :0 x is marked on Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a View of the under side of one of the drawheads. Fig. 4is a detail in section. Fig. 5 is also a detail.

This invention has relation to means for coupling cars; and it consists in the construetion and novel arrangement of devices, as hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the draw-head, which is cast with a flaring mouth and link-recess.

In the rear wall of the recess B is formed a lateral offset recess, 0, for the reception of the pivotal end a of the coupling box or tongue D, which is connected to the draw-head by a transverse pivot bearing in the walls of the offset recess.

In the floor of the draw-head, on the opposite side of the same from that in which the offset recess is located, is formed a longitudinal slot, E, having at its rear end a shoulder, b, which faces upward, and at its front end a shoulder, c, which faces downward.

Pin-bearings 01 may be made in the front flange of the draw-head, so that the ordinary pin-and-link coupling may be employed when necessary:

In the slot E is located the uncouplingbar F, which is formed at its front end with an offset or extension, 0, adapted to engage the shoulder c at the front end of the slot when the front portion of the bar is moved upward. In this position its upper surface is designed to be flush with the floor of the draw-head.

This bar is pivoted at g in the slot, and its forward portion is heavier than the part in rear of the pivot, so that when not held up its front end will drop a little to expose the pivot end h of the slot, which is designed to act as a catch. In this position the rear end of the bar engages the rear shoulders I) of the slot,.which prevents it from falling in front below the required distance. The other side, It, of the floor of the draw-head is entire, and is in line with the ofiset recess G. This portion of the floor forms the bearing for the shank of the couplingtongue D, which has its forward end projecting out of the mouth of the draw-head. laterally arranged in the draw-head, leaving an interval at one side above the slot for the reception of the catch end of the couplingtongue of the opposite draw head. The outer end of the coupling-tongue is flattened from side to side, and angularly pointed at 1. The edges of the pointed end slope downward and upward, so that it will easily enter the flaring month of the opposite draw-head. I

Back of the point is formed in the tonguea vertical slot, m, the sides of which are parallel, and in this slot is pivoted the gravitating catch H. The lower edge ofthe tongue is recessed at the lower end of the slot m,to allow the expanded end L of the catch to rise above said lower edge when said catch is pushed back.- ward in entering the mouth of the draw-head. This expanded lower end, L, forms the engaging portion of the catch. It is obliquely directed with reference to the pivoted shank of the catch, and has the lateral flanges 12, which give it a broad bearing and prevent it from being thrown up into the slot or.

WVhen the tongue enters the mouth of the opposite draw-head to a sufficient distance, the gravitating catch falls, and its expanded end enters the slot E, and engages the front end of the same when the ears are straight ened out. In the engaged position the gravitating catch bears against the walls of the slot, so that the strain is taken off the pivot-pin.

In order to-afford convenient and safe means for uncoupling, the draw head is provided with a transverse lever, P, which is connected to fulcrum-hangers s on the under side of the draw-head and extends through a bearing, n, of the uncoupling-bar F. The hanger s being This tongue is therefore ICO arranged at one side on the bottom of the draw-head, the other side of said draw-head ing a gravitating catch pivoted in a vertical is provided With a hook or catch, to, which is designed to be engaged With the falling end of the lever P when the bar F is to be held 4 5 up for any length of time, as when the cars are on a siding and it is not desirable to have them coupled together.

Having described this invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. The draw-head having the lateral offset recess in the rear end of its cavity to receive the pivotal end of the attached couplingtongne, and the longitudinal slot in the floor 15 of said cavity on the opposite side, provided With an uncoupling-bar and adapted to engage the catch of the coupling-tongue of the opposite draw-head, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a draw-head hav 2o ing the lateral longitudinal slot in its floor, of the pivoted uncoupling-bar having a falling front end shouldered to engage the front end of said slot, and of the coupling-tongue havslot in its end, substantially as specified.

3. The pivoted coupling-tongue having a vertical slot back of its point portion and pivoted therein, and the gravitating catch having an expanded lower end, in combination with a draw-head having a longitudinal catch-slot on one side in the floor of said draw-head, substantially as specified.

4. The combination, with a draw-head having a laterallyslotted floor, of a couplingtongue having a gravitating catch,and a gravitating uncoupling-bar in the floor-slot,having a transverse lever and devices for holding said lever in the raised position, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VINFIELT) SCOTT MINER.

Witnesses:

J. E. MINER, ED. W. TURNER. 

